Director of Marketing
Tiffany Peters
With roughly half of their 40 members living in Barberton, Beckman said it’s important to keep volunteerism as a core piece of the association’s culture. “If you are called to service as a firefighter, you are called to help people. You want the best for your community. Someone always steps up.”
Mike Moore carries bags of nonperishable food to Common Threads Closet.
A member of St. Augustine Church, Mike serves as the president of the Coalition of Concerned Christians, a network of nine area churches that provide everything from the weekly soup kitchen at First Presbyterian Church, to clothing and laundry support through Common Threads Closet, to support with rent and utilities from the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Mike is also an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Barberton where he installs grab bars in showers and bathrooms for senior citizens with disabilities.
Mike said that giving back is a particular value of the Firefighters Association. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without the guys who came before us leading the way. We try to build on and expand what they’ve done, so we are always volunteering in the community in some way.”
Jim
Barberton Firefighters Association Local 329 Barberton Firefighters Association Local 329: A Culture of Giving
Staff
Summer 2022
Ted Herncane
Jennifer Bidlingmyer, Treasurer
Director of Community Impact
Director of Finance
Inside: A big thank you to everyone who attended our recent donor luncheon.
The Esther Ryan Shoe Fund Spaghetti Dinner has become famous over the years for the participation of Barberton’s firefighters. Mike Beckman explained that the association took over the task of cooking the spaghetti (and guarding the recipe for the sauce) from a group of teachers in 1992. “That started the tradition here and we’ve continued to build on it,” he said. For thirty years, Barberton firefighters have been donating their time to this fundraiser, including through the pandemic, when it was take-out only.
Board of Directors
Carrie Herman
Director of Economic Development
Karie Sattler
Office Manager
Barberton Firefighters Association Local 329 was selected to receive the Game Changer award for their many years of service in support of the Esther Ryan Shoe Fund Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser, organized by Magic City Kiwanis each year. “We are incredibly excited to receive this award,” said Mike Beckman, president of the Firefighters Association. “It’s wonderful for the guys to be recognized for their hard work and volunteerism.”
Mike Moore was selected for the Game Changer award in recognition of his decades-long committment to help those in need.
Mike Moore: A Life of Service
Kate DeAngelis
Meet our 2022 Game Changers
Jason Slater, Chair
JeffElizabethMayorTrevorLynneBrettJustinJoshMoriahBauschlingerCheatham-WilliamsGordonGreerHaverlickHolcombHuntWilliamJudgeMayreisRamnytz
Mike Moore and the Barberton Firefighters Association Local 329
Denny Liddle, Vice Chair
Deb Shreiner, Secretary
Continued on Page 3
Suzanne Allen, Ph.D. Executive Director
Bruce May, a local attorney and our luncheon speaker, asked, “What do you want your legacy to be?” Planned giving is a wonderful way to continue a donor’s generosity and involve future generations in philanthropy.
the generosity of our donors is more than a luncheon. It is a time to honor their selflessness and thank them for the impact they’ve made, and continue to make, in
We are proud to walk alongside our donors as they consider their planned giving avenues. Please give us a call at 330-745-5995 to discuss how your giving can make a difference in Barberton.
said, “No gift is too small to make a difference, and no volunteer time is ever wasted. Although I can make larger donations at this point in my life and volunteer more, I’m proud of the many ways my family and I have been able to help.”
Marco Burnette with Sally and Roger Read
The staff at Measurement Resources Company, the research firm which designed and conducted the needs assessment, were so complimentary about the process and the people in Barberton. They helped us put strengths and challenges in perspective, as well as the threats we as a community may face.
OneBarberton.donor
2
Completing the Needs Assessment
Thanks to Dr. Michael Hughes and the team at Summa Barberton Hospital; Jeff Ramnytz and the faculty, staff and students of Barberton City Schools; and Mayor Bill Judge, the city employees and council members who volunteered their time on this project.
Our donors often share how giving to help others, whether it’s a scholarship or a donation to a local nonprofit, makes them happy and makes them feel more connected to our Celebratingcommunity.
Suzanne Allen, Ph.D. Executive Director
The Foundation is using the strengths, challenges, opportunities and threats that were apparent in the needs assessment report as the basis for deeper conversations about our future work, and how we allocate resources, particularly as our funds have been impacted by the recent market conditions. What follows is my favorite paragraph from the report:
Using the data and key takeaways from the voices of the Barberton community, the task is now to integrate Barberton’s rich history with the passion and strengths of the current population. In doing so, create a thriving community today, where individuals have the financial resources to pursue their goals, the social opportunity to build relationships and thrive, and the confidence they desire in the resources, services and messages provided by their city leadership.
Thanking our generous donors
Again, thank you for all your support and thoughtful conversations that led to the completion of the needs assessment. Now as we begin to build and actualize the next steps in a long-term plan, I invite you to continue to share your thoughts with us. We are all working to build a better Barberton.
Thank you!
Many of you participated in our recent needs assessment surveys and interviews, and because you shared your time and thoughts with the team who crafted the final document, we have valuable information to help guide our decision-making process.
We recently collaborated with several key community stakeholders to successfully complete our 2022 Needs Assessment. I would like to personally thank the City of Barberton, the Barberton City Schools and Summa Health for their partnership. This process included a survey and numerous focus group interviews to help build a picture of the community sentiment about various dimensions. The report will be a critical document to help guide the Board’s discussions in our upcoming retreat, where we will work to further our ongoing strategic planning efforts.
It has been a wonderful summer for Barberton Community Foundation, but it seems impossible that August is already upon us. We have been driving forward important work on many fronts including continued strengthening of our scholarship programs, partnering to complete our second grant cycle and progressing many efforts focused on economic development. It is through these various workstreams that we can continue to help shape the Foundation’s impact on the community today and into the future.
I am excited to welcome the newest members of our Friends of the Foundation, Theresa Osbourne and Hugh McMichael. Their expertise in banking and finance, along with their passion for our community, will bring fresh enthusiasm to the team. I look forward to learning from their backgrounds and perspectives while helping with their onboarding process and supporting their continued learning.
Sponsorships
Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible. All proceeds will be directed to our mission of giving to do good.
Tickets will go on sale Saturday, September 10.
Continued from Front Page
Jason Slater
Please consider donating to support funds chosen by our Game Changers.
Support our Game Changers
Mike Moore: Coalition of Concerned Christians Fund Barberton Firefighters Association Local 329: Magic City Kiwanis/ Esther Ryan Endowment Shoe Fund
2022service.Game
Mike said that volunteering is inherently rewarding. “The actions that we take on behalf of others are our reward.” We must agree with him, and the Foundation is honored to present the Game Changer award to him this fall for his
Tickets
Celebrate with the Foundation Save the Date for our Annual Dinner
Welcome from the Board Chair
3
You can purchase tickets online at barbertoncf.org or call us to make your reservation at 330-745-5995.
The many stories of Mike’s service tell us that he is a doer and a problemsolver. There are stories of folks needing extra food, gas money, car repairs, hedges trimmed, outfits for work, covering a shift at the soup kitchen, or simply an encouraging word. Whatever is needed, Mike finds a way to provide help.
Please join Barberton Community Foundation in congratulating Mike Moore and the Barberton Firefighters Association Local 329 as our 2022 Game Changers. We will celebrate their accomplishments at our Annual Dinner on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the Galaxy Restaurant.
Changer Mike Moore
Tickets are $75, with early bird pricing at $65 through October 1.
Mike moved to Barberton in 1972, and worked for 30 years as the maintenance planner at PPG. He views himself as a DIY guy who has managed to surround himself with many wonderful people. Primary among those individuals is his wife of 34 years, Linda Moore. “She is the driving force behind me,” Mike says. They are often seen working the soup kitchen as a team.
ChairJasonSincerely,Slaterofthe
Board of Directors
aka Big Mike, says, “Barberton is such a strong community. The people – they embraced us. It’s been wonderful to have the community behind us, and now with the Foundation’s support, we can reach our goals even faster.”
Barberton businesses receive funding for growth through Foundation partnership
A scissor lift at Big Mike’s Automotive & Collision (L-R) Michael and Felicia Cow ans, with their daughters Lydia and Alexis, and VP John Prouty
Habitat for Humanity
“ThankAugust. you to the Foundation for partnering with us and supporting home ownership,” said Drew. “We look forward to working on more homes in Barberton in the future.”
Big Mike’s received funding through the new Economic Development Assistance Program,
Grant Partner Focus
Important note on this photo: Barberton is one of the National Inventors Hall of Fame’s pilot testing sites, therefore all activities and materials featured are subject to change.
which awarded a total of $99,714 to eight different Barberton businesses for expansion or job
Barberton Community Foundation awarded a $15,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity in 2021. A year later, we spoke with Drew Hall, vice president and COO, on their progress with a new home build at 294 E. Tuscarawas Ave.
With the final payment on Barberton High School completed, the Foundation has turned its attention to economic development with a focus on supporting entrepreneurs, business expansion, job creation and improvements to downtown buildings.
Big Mike’s Automotive & Collision and Pregame Tavern are among 16 recipients to be awarded funding from Barberton Community Foundation’s newest economic Pregameinitiatives.developmentTavernwasarecipient of assistance from the Downtown Building Rehab Program, which awarded $146,609 to eight different projects for brick-and-mortar updates to buildings located within Barberton’s Downtown Historic District.
Mike will put funding toward the purchase of four additional scissor lifts for the company’s mechanical and repair building. “These lifts get the car up and make it easier for technicians to work on them,” said Mike. In addition to the lifts, Mike is hoping to hire four more employees to support his growing business.
Economic Development Funds Awarded
Chad Morrison Sr. and his son Chad Jr.
The Foundation partnered with Barberton Community Development Corporation (BCDC) to facilitate two new programs: the Economic Development Assistance Program and the Downtown Building Rehab Program. Applications opened in May and were reviewed by a committee of both BCDC and Foundation board members. By June, the Foundation had received more than $500,000 in requests, double the coordinatedprogramsprograms.amountbudgetedfortheBothareby the Foundation, with funding provided through a grant to BCDC.
Michaelcreation.Cowans,
Chad and Amanda Morrison purchased the properties at 105 and 107 2nd St. NW in downtown Barberton. Chad opened the Pregame Tavern with his son, Chad Jr.
The construction team just completed siding and Drew said Habitat hopes to complete interior construction on the home by the end of
Camp Invention
This is Habitat’s 16th new home in the City of Barberton. The program works hand-in-hand with low-to moderate-income families to help them own their own home. The home on East Tuscarawas is for a single mother and her two children.
Mr. Tim Statts, featured in this photo with his class, will teach STEM at Barberton Middle School this year. He taught a new program called “Catching Air” where students decorated finger skateboards to learn about physics. Their mascot, Allie Oops, is a slug character with the tag line, “Stick to it!”
“I’d say our food sets us apart,” said Chad Jr. “The meatballs and sauce in our meatball sub are homemade from my great-grandma Rose’s recipe.”
The National Inventors Hall of Fame organizes 1,000 camp programs nationwide, and one of them is in Barberton. In the first grant cycle of 2022, the Foundation awarded $10,000 to the program. This funding enabled 41 children to attend, by underwriting participation costs for students in need of financial assistance. Camp Invention is a STEM summer camp program for grades K-6. Kids work their way through four classes, each focusing on different STEM topics like physics and biology, along with fostering an inventor-like mindset by promoting individual creativity, confidence and inspiration.
......................................................................diets.
.......................................................................care.
.......................................................................violence.
.......................................................................
Ben Curtis FoundationFamily
The City of Barberton received grants for two separate parks projects. Tuscora Park received $15,000 to support six new pickleball courts and Breitenstine Park received $10,000 toward renovating the tennis
Girls on the Run
Barberton Community Foundation is pleased to announce our second grant cycle of 2022, awarding $143,535 to 14 area nonprofits serving Barberton. This cycle focused on health and wellness programming.
City of Barberton
AxessPointe
IBH Addiction Recovery
Countryside received $10,000 to continue their community food access program at the Barberton Farmers Market. This program has been very successful in supporting SNAP and WIC clients with options for more fruits, vegetables and healthy foods in their
Summa Health - Barberton Campus
For more information, visit www.barbertoncf.org | Call 330.745.5995 Find us on Facebook @BarbertonCommunity Foundation=
.......................................................................
IBH Addiction Recovery received $7,500 for group and individual counseling for Barberton clients with substance use disorder. Clients receive counseling at every level of care which includes residential, day, intensive outpatient and outpatient treatment.
......................................................................courts.
Victim Assistance Program
Girls on the Run received $10,000 to provide scholarships for girls interested in participating during the fall 2022 and spring 2023 seasons. Funding will also support the purchase of athletic shoes and coaching stipends.
Embracing Futures, Inc.
The Humane Society of Summit County
Embracing Futures, Inc. received $6,000 to support their Orthodontic Care program, which supports low-income families by providing braces for children with severe orthodontic problems.
Countryside (Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy)
Greenleaf Family Center received $5,000 to support school-based suicide prevention services to approximately 2,000 Barberton middle and high school
.......................................................................
Victim Assistance Program was awarded $15,000 for their Barberton Victim Advocacy Program, which serves victims of crime and trauma. The program is located within the Barberton Municipal Court.
Rape Crisis Center The Foundation supported the Rape Crisis Center with $2,535 for their program, Responding to Victims in Barberton community. Funding supports victims of domestic/family/intimate partner abuse and/or sexual
Newest Grant Partners: Health and Wellness
AxessPointe received $15,000 for their Patient Assistance Fund, which will cover costs such as prescription copays, provide groceries, hygiene items and cleaning items. Funding will help AxessPointe ensure that underserved and low-income individuals receive crucial primary and preventative
Ben Curtis Family Foundation received $5,000 to support their Birdie Bags program. This program continues to serve 1,400 to 1,500 Barberton children once each month with take-home bags containing six nonperishable meals, four snacks and personal hygiene essentials.
.......................................................................
Greenleaf Family Center
.......................................................................
.......................................................................students.
......................................................................food.
The Humane Society of Summit County received $10,000 to provide services for pet owners in the Barberton community through their MABEL clinic.
......................................................................more.
(L-R) Cora and Casey wait to check in patients at the MABEL bus clinic for the Humane Society. This new mobile clinic provides low cost vaccines and spay and neuter services to dogs and cats.
$25,000 was awarded to Summa Health –Barberton Campus to support the purchase of a new CT machine, supporting cardiac care, stroke therapy and
Akron Canton Regional Food Bank received $7,500 to support costs associated with the monthly Barberton Direct Distribution, which provides access to healthy food at no cost for Barberton residents. This funding equates to a provision of 14,400 lbs. of
Akron Canton Regional Food Bank
Team Up 4 Turf
The mission of Barberton Community Foundation is to strengthen the Barberton community for current and future generations by providing leadership, fostering collaboration, and creating a legacy of giving to do good.
$20/ticket – includes auction, meal and beverage
|
460 W. Paige Ave. Barberton, OH 44203
Find us on Facebook @BarbertonCommunity Foundation
We envision an improved quality of life for Barberton residents, now and forever.OH 44203
For more information and event updates, visit www.barbertoncf.org 330.745.5995 | 460 W. Paige Ave. | Barberton,
Join Team Up 4 Turf and the Barberton All Sports Boosters Committee for a fun-filled night! The event will be set up like a football game, divided into “quarters.” This event features hundreds of unique, one-of-a-kind and valuable items through live and silent auctions. Auctioneer Bob Hale hosts the live auction.
When: Saturday, October 8, 2022
You can sponsor the event or purchase tickets online at barbertoncf.org.
Doors open at 5:00pm Auction from 6:00-9:00pm